News and tips for volunteers and friends

Tag Archives: bushcare

Come along and be part of ‘citizens tackling antibiotic resistance in the wild’.

Scoop-a-Poop is a citizen science project coordinated by scientists from Macquarie University, in collaboration with Taronga Zoo and the University of Sydney. You will learn the ecology of urban brushtail possum, antibiotic resistance in the environment and how antibiotic resistant bacteria are moving from humans to wildlife. Participants will receive a collection kit so they can participate in the study – and then later will get the test results.

Local WIRES will come along as well. Suitable for ages 12+ – must be accompanied with an adult.

Last weekend we had the Mt Wilson Fauna Survey Workshop and Spotlight. We were incredibly lucky to see three greater gliders, a threatened species and the Anabat detector also recorded a threatened species, the Eastern Bentwing Bat!

Do you have a swamp in your backyard or interested in swamp restoration?

Then come join us for this very special event in Hazelbrook, where you will learn the basic principles about swamp restoration whilst giving this swamp a helping hand.

The swamp is located off Rocklea Street, which is the very north end of the urban area and is still in its early stages of being restored, so there is plenty of primary work to be done on a variety of weeds – Erica, buddleia, privet, crofton weed.

A FREE delicious lunch and morning tea has been kindly donated by Hominy Bakery.

Bookings are essential so please RSVP via the link on this page or contact Stephanie at schew@bmcc.nsw.gov.au. by Thursday 20 September.

Swampfest is a FREE, fun event for all ages jam-packed with activities, walks, talks and workshops.

A FREE, fun event for all ages jam-packed with activities, walks, talks and workshops. Discover our local swamps – learn all about swamp critters and find out why swamps are so special. Go on a swamp safari, get up close and personal with a crayfish, make art and enjoy expert-led walks and talks. Book in for a specific activity, or just come along for a great day out!

What people said about last year’s event:

“Kids / parents / grandparents all had a great time…”

“Loved the hands on stuff – very engaging…”

“Great speakers and workshops…”

BYO picnic to enjoy, or buy a sausage sizzle. Coffee cart on site. (Support our war on waste: BYO cup!)

*For some activities, numbers are limited and bookings are essential.

*Walking tours include some narrow bush pathways with uneven surfaces. All other activities are suitable for wheelchair or pram access. Please contact us at gfitzgerald@bmcc.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions about accessibility.

The Gecko is a newsletter produced by Blue Mountains City Council to keep volunteers up to date with current news, events and information. If you have any interesting environmental stories, Bushcare moments or successful how to’s that you would love to share and would like to contribute to this newsletter, please contact the Blue Mountains City Council Bushcare Team Leader on (02) 4780 5528, or email sbenson@bmcc.nsw.gov.au

Popes Glen Bushcare group had a special morning tea to say “Farewell, thank you and good luck” to Bill Webster, longtime bushcare volunteer with 24 years of service to the Popes Glen Bushcare site. Bill’s commitment to making a difference has helped transform the site from a weed infested swamp to the rehabilitated site it is today. Of course, there will always be weeds but with perseverance it is clear to see from the success in Popes Glen that it is all worth it.

We also remembered Jan, Bill’s wife and a long-time and hard-working supporter until 2011, as famous for her morning teas as for her willingness to get in amongst the willows and mud. Both Bill and Jan’s commitment to Bushcare and in particular to Popes Glen will leave an everlasting impact.

Bill will be dearly missed every month but we wish him all the best for the next chapter in his life.

Minnehaha Falls plunge pool – full of sediment washed into Yosemite Creek from many years of urban development

This year at the annual NSW Local Government Awards, the Blue Mountains City Council and the local North Katoomba community was recognised for its outstanding work over many years, winning the Division C and Overall Category Winner of the Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement: On-Ground Works Award, for the project the Return of the “Bottomless Pool’ in Yosemite Creek, North Katoomba.

The result is the culmination of decades of work addressing urban stormwater runoff and weed invasion, which had previously resulted in sedimentation, erosion and decline of Yosemite Creek’s water quality, as well as loss of habitat and aquatic biodiversity across the Katoomba and Minnehaha Falls Creek.

Local residents lamented the loss of their favourite swimming hole, as the ‘bottomless pool’ at the base of Minnehaha Falls had filled with sediment. A coordinated and collaborative approach with the Blue Mountains City Council, government agencies, businesses and the local community resulted in the successful restoration of Yosemite Creek and the return of the pools including Minnehaha’s ‘bottomless’ plunge pool.

Key to the success of the project has been the long term involvement of a number of Bushcare and Landcare groups in the broader Katoomba and Minnehaha Falls Creek both through on ground action and the coordination of annual sub catchment planning meetings. These groups have, through the leadership of Lyndal Sullivan, provided a well-coordinated approach to catchment management working closely with Council and NPWS through their yearly planning meetings.

The work of the Minnehaha Falls Bushcare Group needs special mention for its unfailing commitment and the positive results it has been able to achieve in significantly improving the health of the bushland and aquatic habitat of this stream.

The same pool – now clear of sediment and staying that way – thanks to bush regeneration (both paid and unpaid) and improved stormwater management throughout the Yosemite Creek catchment.